Concrete step

Abstract

A concrete step has a trough with a base and two side walls. The side walls project upwardly from the base and are positioned at opposite ends of the base. At least one of the sidewalls has an inwardly projecting flange spaced away from the base by approximately the height of the step. Concrete fills the trough at least up to the inwardly projecting flange, and together a top surface of the concrete and at least a portion of the inwardly projecting flange form a top surface/tread of the step.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows: 
     
       1. A concrete step, comprising:
 a trough, said trough having a base and two side walls, 
 said base having width and length dimensions,
 said trough having a plate at each end in said length dimension, 
 said two side walls projecting upwardly from said base in a height dimension and being positioned at opposite ends of said base in said width dimension, 
 at least one of said two side walls having an inwardly projecting flange spaced away from said base by said height dimension; and 
 
 concrete filling said trough at least up to said inwardly projecting flange, 
 wherein said concrete and at least a portion of said inwardly projecting flange form a top surface, 
 wherein said trough including said plate at each end in said length dimension provides a self-contained step having protection of four sides and a bottom from impact or breakage, and 
 wherein said trough has at least one weep hole at a bottom portion of at least one plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The concrete step of  claim 1 , wherein each plate of said trough has at least one weep hole in a bottom portion. 
     
     
       3. The concrete step of  claim 1 , wherein each said plate has a pair of weepholes at bottom corners thereof. 
     
     
       4. The concrete step of  claim 1 , wherein said trough is made of metal. 
     
     
       5. The concrete step of  claim 4 , wherein said base and said two sidewalls are a single bent sheet of sheet metal. 
     
     
       6. The concrete step of  claim 1 , wherein said concrete lacks rebar. 
     
     
       7. A method for making a step, comprising the steps of:
 bending a metal sheet into a trough, said trough having open-ends, a base having width and length dimensions, and two sidewalls projecting upwardly from said base in a height dimension and positioned at opposite ends of said base in said width dimension, at least one of said two sidewalls having an inwardly projecting flange spaced away from said base by said height dimension; 
 affixing a plate to each open-end of said trough; and 
 filling said trough with concrete at least up to said inwardly projecting flange, wherein wet concrete is retained within said trough by said plate affixed to each open-end of said trough, 
 wherein said concrete and at least a portion of said inwardly projecting flange form a top surface, and 
 wherein at least one weep hole is provided at a bottom portion of at least one said plate. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein said plate is affixed by welding. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 finishing said concrete with one or more surface treatments. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein said one or more surface treatments comprises a surface texture or pattern, a paint, and a sealant. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of:
 finishing exposed surfaces of said trough with one or more surface treatments. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein said one or more surfaces treatments comprises paint.